Odd Vote Process & Its ‘No’ To Underwater Cameras

A day after FINA delegates rejected the notion of allowing multiple kicking out of starts on breaststroke, a strange multiple vote at FINA Congress led to a decision not to allow underwater cameras to be used in judging and disputes

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A day after FINA delegates rejected the notion of allowing multiple kicking out of starts on breaststroke, a strange multiple vote at FINA Congress led to a decision not to allow underwater cameras to be used in judging and disputes

The most important thing required for fair decisions is a clear voting procedure. In swimming’s world governing body, FINA, this should be clear & concise & laid down in writing (in each delegates language) before each meeting. Doubts, mistakes & controversy seem to dog swimming’s decisions, making them appear manipulated.. .

We have technology that makes it really easy to judge alignment with rules. I’m not sure why we don’t use it. The breaststroke kick rule was best left unchanged, though the rule regarding movement of the hands before the dolphin is being misinterpreted often at all levels. Simply you can’t see whether a swimmer is in streamline or has moved his hands apart in the mille of the pool and refs are allowed to make what could be political decisions to disqualify — now without any attempt to actually see if their judgement was correct. The great thing about swimming is how little politics play a part — but power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Knowing this, we need to do all we can to make sure a swimmers is allowed to fairly compete. Cameras are a great way to do this and rule changes that require human subjective analysis should be limited (ie: backstroke turn glide; breaststroke hand movement before the dolphin). Decisions should be made that limit the chance for human error as much as possible, but the opposite is happening. Someday we might be as political as gymnastics. That’s the day I stop coaching. Let’s hold Fina accountable.

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